Quarterback (3).Ben Roethlisberger, Bruce Gradkowski,Landry Jones.John Parker Wilson.[/s]Wilson is the odd man out, as predicted. But that doesn’t make Jones a lock to make the team. He saw no action vs. KC, and the Steelers could try to put him on the practice squad and see if someone better is available on waivers.

Running backs (5).LeVeon Bell, Isaac Redman, LaRod Stephens-Howling, Will Johnson (FB/TE), Jonathan Dwyer , Felix JonesAlvester Alexander,Baron Batch, Jeremy Wright.There’s something curious about the Jones trade – would the Steelers carry 6 RB while Bell heals? Larod is back to practice, so if Jones was insurance his value is now decreased. I think Jones is likely a guy they just wanted to kick the wheels of and will cut, but the fact that they traded for him still seems peculiar. Alexander is just here for the remainder of camp, and Baron Batch’s time here is up.

Cutting Woods was a surprise. Dunn’s showed nice return ability, but has a shoulder ding that may keep him out of the critical fourth preseason game. Moye seems to get action every week, possibly bumping him to the front of the WR5 class. And Brown is not out of it yet. Moore is due in the next wave of cut-downs.

Tight ends (3).Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth, David Paulson, David Johnson Michael Palmer, Jamie McCoy, Nathan Overbay, Peter Tuitupou.[/s]Paulson’s strong camp hasn’t translated in the preseason, especially in blocking. David Johnson’s return could also mean gimpy Matt Spaeth is in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Michael Palmer has had some clutch STs plays to keep himself in the mix. Very contentious.

Offensive line (9).Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Mike Adams, Ramon Foster, Marcus Gilbert, Kelvin Beachum, John Malecki, Joe Long, Guy Whimper, Mike Golic, Joe Madsen, Chris Hubbard. D’Anthony Batiste, Justin Cheadle, Mike Farrell. [/s]Cheadle was waived/injured, and the rest are no surprise. I think Long improved his stock some and he and Whimper look to have the best shot of any of the rest here.

Nose tackle (2).Steve McLendon,Alameda Ta’amu, Hebron Fangupo .I still think the Steelers want to hang onto Ta’amu as the backup NT, but Al Woods has shown he could potentially back up NT and DE, and that flexibility may allow the Steelers to spend an additional roster pick at another position. Loni Fangupo may get consideration for the practice squad.

Defensive ends (4).Ziggy Hood, Brett Keisel, Cameron Heyward, Al Woods, Brian Arnfelt, Nick Williams. [/s]The Nick Williams to IR thing is odd. He was injured, came back and played pretty decently, and now he’s injured? Sounds like Tomlin’s taking a page from the Belicheck book and sneaking a guy he likes around the waiver process. Meanwhile, Brian Arnfelt continues to make a strong case for himself, at the very worst a priority practice squad player.

Outside linebackers (4).Lamarr Woodley, Jason Worilds, Jarvis Jones, Chris Carter, Alan Baxter. Adrian Robinson.[/s]Frankly surprised that the Steelers traded Robinson. Would seem to make Carter the guy, but he’s been rather bland in the preseason, and there was at least some cap talk that the coaches really liked Baxter. Still, Baxter looks like practice squad to me unless he shows big in the final game.

Inside linebackers (5).Lawrence Timmons, Larry Foote, Marshall McFadden, Vince Williams, Brian Rolle, Kion Wilson, Terence Garvin, Stevenson Sylvester, Sean Spence.[/s]Sylvester, like Baron Batch, cut in the first wave to give him a better shot at signing with another team, but I was slightly surprised here. The FO didn’t make re-signing Sly a priority, and there is enough good young talent vying for the backup spots that it makes sense. Of McFadden, Williams, Wilson, and Rolle, I think Kion Wilson may be the odd man out, but I can’t remember a group if ILB bubble guys this talented in years. Sean Spence has been PUPped.

Cornerbacks (6).Ike Taylor, Cortez Allen, William Gay, Curtis Brown, Josh Victorian, Terry Hawthorn, Isaiah Green, Devin Smith, Ross Ventrone. DeMarcus Van Dyke, Ryan Steed. [/s]The speedy DVD was waived/injured, and Hawthorn is getting some play. He needs to show enough to make the cut in his final game, but coaches may like his upside enough to do just that. I’m not a big Victorian fan, but I have a feeling he has an inside track. Isaiah Green is the only other guy who seems to be on the radar right now.

Safeties (4)Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, Shamarko Thomas, Robert Golden, Damon Cromartie-Smith.DC-S and Golden have had some ups and downs this preseason. Meanwhile, Shamarko Thomas has been improving each week and is a lock. The guy can lay some serious hits.